Germany ended Canada's controversial Olympic bid in a penalty shootout on Friday in Marseille before moving on to a soccer semi-final against the U.S. women's national team.
After a goalless draw in extra time, Ann-Katrin Berger was Germany's hero, saving penalties from Ashley Lawrence and Adriana Leon before converting the winning spot kick to decide the battle between the last two Olympic gold medal winners.
“I was surprised that I had calmed down and didn't feel any pressure,” Berger said. “So it was a really nice feeling when the ball went into the net and the goalkeeper went the other way.”
The win sets up a rematch of the group stage, when the Americans comfortably beat the 2016 champion 4-1. The U.S. women's team sealed their spot in the semifinals with an overtime win over Japan on Saturday.
Sydney Lohmann almost scored for Germany in the second period of extra time, but his header from about six metres just missed the crossbar.
Adriana Leon had perhaps Canada's best chance of the match in the 71st minute when she threatened a counterattack, but Berger was ready.
Defending champions Canada have been plagued by a tournament-long drone surveillance scandal, with head coach Bev Priestman suspended for a year by FIFA and the team dropping six points in the group stage.
Canada's players were mentally exhausted after Saturday's loss, having won all their group stage matches to overcome the points deduction.
“I can't find the tears because I shed them all last week,” Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles said. “So I think that to have come this far is a testament to our group.”
Before the start of the tournament, New Zealand reported a drone flying over the training site. Authorities later detained an analyst for the Canadian team and confiscated the surveillance equipment.
Two staff members were immediately sent home and Priestman pulled out of the opening match of the Olympics. But Canadian Soccer Federation chief executive and general secretary Kevin Blue said evidence had come to light that the surveillance was a “systemic ethical deficiency,” also citing an alleged incident at the recent Copa America in the United States. Andy Spence was leading the team in his place.
Spence said his job going forward is to support the players while Canada Soccer continues its independent investigation.
“I think it would be unfair for me to start making comments about something that is much bigger than me,” he said.
Canada captain Jessie Fleming was injured and did not return after halftime.
“It's tough. Sometimes football doesn't go your way, and that's what happened to us today,” Fleming said. “But I'm very proud of this team. And I think there's a lot of positives to take away from this tournament. I mean, I really feel like we had them on the ropes in the second half.”
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
